A poll finds more than half the residents of New York City believe there should be one memorial for all those who died in the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center. Some people had suggested there should be a separate memorial for rescue workers who died. The survey also shows New Yorkers like their city in spite of concerns about terrorism.
According to the poll conducted by Quinnipiac University, 54 percent of New Yorkers favor listing all of the victims in one place at the future memorial at the World Trade Center site. Thirty-eight percent of the respondents say that rescuers who came in after the attack should be be given separate recognition.
Mickey Carroll, director of the University's polling Institute, says New Yorkers do not want to differentiate among the dead.
"It is hard to argue with the belief that they were all victims of terrorists at the same time," he said. "There is a substantial feeling, 38 percent, that tell Quinnipiac that there should be some sort of separate recognition for the heroes, but a small majority, but still a majority, say "No, no. They were all victims and they should all be listed together."
A substantial majority, 62 percent, approve of plans to redevelop the area where the attacks occurred, the financial district in lower Manhattan. But New Yorkers are far less satisfied with plans to redevelop the World Trade Center site, reflecting ongoing controversies over architectural designs and the percentages of the site allotted to commercial space, residential space and a memorial.
Mr. Carroll says New Yorkers may complain about dirty streets and transportation problems, but the survey shows their commitment to the city is surprisingly strong.
"Of the people who do live here, the registered voters in New York City, how would you rate New York as a place to live, 77 percent say 'at least good.' Only 22 percent say it us not so hot, poor. And we asked, based on that old commercial 'I Love New York,' well people say they do. Fifty-eight percent of the people in the Quinnipiac poll say they love New York City and 23 percent at least like it. So overwhelmingly, New Yorkers for all their legendary complaining, like the place."
About 70 percent of those surveyed say they expect more terrorist attacks in the United States, but they think the city is as safe as other big cities.
